Hoskins Derby run ends in semifinals

Rhys Hoskins was one of just two players to hit 20 or more home runs in a single round in Monday’s Home Run Derby at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the other was Kyle Schwarber, his opponent in the semifinals. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

In Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Rhys Hoskins was impressive, especially for a guy making his first foray onto a stage that big against some of the game’s best home run hitters. The Phillies outfielder won his first round match-up before falling just short in the semifinals.

Hoskins was matched up against Jesus Aguilar (Milwaukee) in the first round and Hoskins quickly dispatched him with a 17-12 win that moved Hoskins into the semifinals. Kyle Schwarber (Chicago Cubs) edged Alex Bregman 16-15 in the first round to meet Hoskins and while the Phillie contender became the first player in the derby to hit the 20 home run mark in a single round. Schwarber didn’t miss much and bested Hoskins with 21 home runs, the last of which came as time expired. Schwarber and Hoskins were the only two batters to reach the 20 home run plateau in a single round throughout the derby.

In the semifinal round, Hosking hit three 440 foot plus home runs that gave him a 30-second bonus. His longest of the round – and the night – went 466 feet. He used his bonus time to launch a 453 foot home run. Hoskins’ average home run distance was 412.5 feet in the semifinals.

In the first round, Hoskins hit just five home runs in the first 1:55 of his round and after taking his timeout, returned to blast 12 home runs in the final 2:05 of the round, including hitting five home runs in the final minute.

On the other side of the bracket, Bryce Harper (Washington) downed Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) and Max Munch (LA Dodgers) beat Javier Baez (Chicago Cubs). Harper, hitting in front of his home team fans in Washington, DC, then downed Muncy 13-12 in the semifinals. Harper would use six home runs in the final minute of his finals round to beat Schwarber 19-18.